During the early 1840s, the county seat underwent a name change from Barboursville to Camden. During this time, local dentist Benjamin Thompson purchased the corner lot on Union and Calhoun (Clifton) Streets and built a simple “I” house with a one-story porch. In 1867, the house was bought by W.F. Spurlin, a local jeweler, who retained it until 1911 when it was sold to B.H. Matthews, owner of Matthews Hardware Company. Mr. Matthews enlarged and remodeled the house, adding a large columned pedimented porch and a suspended balcony. B.H. Matthews served as Mayor of Camden and President of the Alabama State Hardware Association. When he built his two-story brick hardware store on Broad and Claiborne Streets (today’s Coast to Coast), it had the only elevator within 50 miles. The house remained in the Matthews family for four generations. It is now the home of Will and Sommer Curry. Additions were made to the home in 1987 and 2009.
This house is located in Camden on Clifton Street at the intersection of Union Street (Google Maps).
This is a private residence – drive by only.
Pictures that are provided were taken May 2014.
Sources: 1) “2012 Pilgrimage, Camden & Canton Bend, Wilcox County, Alabama” Brochure; 2) The Alabama Black Belt Heritage Area audio tour, site 516.